Signal



w A ril 29, 1930. J B MAPLES 1,756,126

S IGNAL Filed Dec. 5, 1928 INVEN TOR.

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Patented Apr. 29, 1930 JACK B. MAPLES, F MIDDLESBORO, KENTUCKY SIGNAL Application filed December 5, 1928. Serial No. 323,944.

This invention relates to signals, more particularly to a changeable warning signal to be used for the protection of section crews and construction gangs on railroads, rails'ways or public highways, and has for its object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter setforth, a signal for positioning at a point with respect to a railroad or highway to warn enginernen and others to slow down for the reason that the track or highway from such point is under repairs.

I As is well known in connection with railroad track repairs, it is the custom for section foremen' to place a sign board along the track to warn enginemen and others to slow down as the track from the sign board is under repairs. The particular part of the track under repair might be several hundred feet. The sign is left standing even though the track might havebeen finished within an hour or two from the time the repairs begun, and as the section men are working on the right of way there is nooccasion for the sign standing, and when standing under the foregoing conditions unnecessarily causes trains to slow down, resulting in a loss of time and fuel and other unnecessary e2;- penses. The foregoing disadvantages are overcome by a signal in accordance with this invention and even though it be standing, i will indicate to the trainmen and others t lat they have the right of way, as the track is clear because the construction has been finished or temporarily abandoned, and by such .35 indication it overcomes loss of time or waste of material and in addition effects a saving in section mens labor.

Further ob ects of the invention are to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth,

a signal for the purpose referred to which is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, thoroughly efficient n its use, interchangeable, conveniently attached in signalling position, readily assembled and 5 scribed, and illustrated in the accompanying comparatively inexpensive to manufacturedrawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the, invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which fall within the scope of the claim hereunto appended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views Figure 1 is a front elevation of a signal in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary View in rear elevation.

Figure 3 is a section on line 83 of F igure 1.

Figure 4 is a section on line 44 of Figure 1.

A warning signal, in accordance with this invention includes means for indicating to an engineer the beginning and ending of the working period for a repair gang on a track section, whereby when the signal comes within the vision of the engineer such means will indicate whether the engine should be slowed down or if the track is clear for right of way. If the signal is noted between the beginning and ending of the working period of the repair gang the engineer will then know he is to slow down, but if noted before the beginning or after the ending of such working period the engineer will then know that the track is clear and he has right of way.

Referring to the drawings in detail a signal, in accordance with this invention includes a standard 1 of the desired height for anchoring the device at the desired point with respect to a railroad track, railway or highway. Secured against the rear of and extending to a point below the top of the standard 1 is a rectangular plate 2 of suitable width and length. The upper portion 3 of the standard 1 is projected a substantial distance above the top of plate and is adapted to be impacted upon by a striking element for driving the standard 1 into the ground. Spaced holdfast devices 4: are provided for fixedly securing the lower portion of the plate 2 to the standard 1.

Arranged at the rear and above the bottom edge of plate 2 is a back plate 5 of rectangular contour and which has its top and ends flush with the top and sideedges of piate 1. The plate 5 at its lower end is formed with a forwardly extending, right angularly disposed flange 6 which abuts against the inner face of plate 2 approximately at the longitudinal median of the latter. The flange 6 provides means for spacing the lower portionof plate 5, from plate 2 andprovides in connection with a pair of spacing members 7,8 and a partition bar-9 a pair of compartments 10, 11 which are closed at their lower ends by the flange 6 and which have their upper ends open. The sides of the compartments 10, 11 are formed by the spacing bars or members 7, 8 and partition bar 9. Thepartition bar 9 is arranged parallel to thestandard 1 and disposed at the vertical centerof the plates Qand 5. r

The spacing member or 7- is' secured to plates 2 and 5, by spaced holdfast devices 12. Th'e'spacing member or bar 8 is secured to the plates2 and 5 by spaced holdfast devices 18, andithe partition bar 9, plate 5, upper portion of plate and standard 1 are secured together by spaced holdfast devices 14.

The upper portion of plate 2 is formed with a pair of spaced, enlarged open ngs 15, 16 preferably square in contour and the former provides an open front for compartment 10 and the latter an open front for the compartment 11. i i a Y Removably mounted in'the compartment 10 is a carrier 17 for indicia 18 and remov- "ably mounted within the compartment 11 is a carrier 19 for indicating indicia 20.. The

carriers 17, 19 arein the form of fiat plates of greater height and width thaneither 'of the openings 15, 16. The indicia on the carrier 17 is to indicate the time of thebeginning of the workingperiod of a repair gang and theindicia on "the carrier 19 to indicate the time of the end of the working period of the repair gang, that is to say as illustratedthecarrier 17 is provided with a digit seven and the carrier 19 with a digit two andthe digits coact to indicate that the working period of the repairgang starts at 7 a, m., and closes at 2 p. m., therefore if the signal is repair gang is not; at work and has the right of way, or if the signal is upstanding. and

viewed after 2 p. m., the engineer will know that the repair gang has ceased its work and that the track is clear. If the signal is upstanding and is viewed'by the engineer be-- tween the hours of 7 a. m., and 2 p. m., the engineerwill know that the gang is at work ferent time for the start and a diflerent time for the ending of the working period for the repair gang.

The compartments provide means whereby the carriers with different indicia can be selected and mounted therein after the removal of those carriers which have been ar ranged in the compartments. The compartments, 10 and 11 can be of any suitable width.

It is thought the many advantages of a signal, in accordance with this invention and for the purpose set forth can be readily understood, and although the preferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described, yet it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction can be had which'fall within the scope of the-invention'as claimed.

What I claim is:

- A signal comprising a vertically disposed rectangular front plate provided with a pair of opposed spaced openings between its transverse median and its upper end, aback plate opposing the rear face of the front plate and having its lower end formed with'a forwardly directed flange abutting such rear facebelow-and in proximity to said open ings, a pair of outer and an innerjspacer member, arranged in spaced relation and interposed'between and forming in connection with said plates a pair of spaced compartments, indicia carrying -means removably mounted in said compartments and having the indicia thereon exposable through said openings, means for securing said plates and outer spacer members together, a standard having a portion intermediate its ends positioned against the outer face of said front plate between said openings, and means comhereto.

JACK B. MAPLES.

standing and is viewed by the engineer be 7 fore 7 a. m., be will know then that the.

' way ofexample, as same can indicate adif- I 

